Variety (Jul 1944)

Wc<lncsrtay, July 12,191* HOUSE REVIEWS 39 Oriental, Chi Chicago, J idyl: Duncan Sis. (2), Billy Vine, Sliirfcj/' Dennis, 3 Iviinows, The Ap- pietons. (3); 'Jam Session' (Col). Current bill is straight vaude: and customers are finding it a welcome relief from the steady diet of band shows week after week. .Billy Vine, fresh from a run at the Latin Quar- ter is emceeing the show and keep- ing it nicely paced, Duncan Sisters headline and close show, Their harmonizing on "I Love You," "Bye Bye Blackbird" and •■Remember" still rates highly and Rosette's Topsy antics are very limiiy. Gals have ldded an impres- sion in song of King Carol and Madome Lupescu and Rosetta's vio- lin bit with pit leader Ray Lang gets plenty of laughs. The. combo lands them solidly for top returns. Three Ivanows . open with bril- liant acrobatics, combining expert bar work with aerial catches and, somersaults. One of men works in comedy garb for laughs and woman contributes cartwheels and spins. Clicked. Shirley Dennis, pert and peppy songstress, puis over "San Fernando Valley," "Shoo Shoo Baby." "Gonna Get Lit Up" and • Man to Pin Up My Pan" to heavy ppplause. A good looker, she knows how to sell her songs for tig re- turns.- The Appletons, man and two women, thrill with Apache dancing, unusual tumbling, knife throwing jmd knockabout stuff to register "big, -": >" ■ ■ ".•.'■'"•-" .. Billv Vine, a glib gabster, dishes out a,funny line of chatter including his draft board experiences, a broad caricature of Sinatra'.; singing; an impression of Charles Laiighton and a very funny impersonation of a drunk with a crying jag, celebrating his pal's marriage. A hit. Morg. Hipp, Balto Baltimore, July 9; Bert Nagle ft Hiljo, Crosby Sis. i2). Gene Baylos, Bob Ellis, Coco, Sieve k Eddy, Felice Iula and House Orch (12); "Once Upon a Time" iCol) (2nd u>?c). New stage layout to accommodate h.o. of film ("Once Upon a Time") plays smoothly. Paced by Gene Baylos. flip emcee with material : leminihcent of all the w.k. floor pilots, setup opens well with Bert Nagel and Hilja in their standard, cat 'flirtation and control aero . Makr-s lor good novelty. Deuce is allotted to Bob Ellis, con- ductor of a.m. "Around the Break- fast Table" over WBAL locally and now associated with Coast Guard Port Security enlistment promotion. A plug for the latter effort, stint is nevertheless packed with solid en- tertainment and appeal. Nice ap- pearing lad. working in uniform and possessed of highly effective vocal capacity he accompanies self on electric organ and piano for very solid returns. Does "Time On My Hands," "Embraceable You" and a swingv version of "Dinah," encoring with 'Til Be Seeing Yfiu" to good returns Crosby Sisters follow with har- mony singing and clowning. Comic member play^afiuitar and has a definite feel loPTaughs, Does im- pressions of Joari Davis, Colonna and The Ink Spots between arrange- ments of "I Want My Mamma" and "Donkey Serenade." Had to beg off. Baylos takes hold for some ex- tended gagging all of which regis- ters well and builds to a finish with a violin bit highlighted with busi- ness a la Berle's swish routine. Stacks, up as good as any of them around today in vaude or niteries. . Next are Coco, Steve & Eddy, trio of neatly dressed hand to hand Work- ers who interpolate some comedy into their punchy routine.':. Three- high catch from a teelerbbard • is.' a good sock. : Biz okay. ' Burm. Mary Lee Carrol then takes oVer for vocals in nice style of "I'll Get.By;" "Love, Love" and "San Fernando Valley", Vera and her violin scores Slate, .>'. V. The Drakes (3). Dorothy Donegan, 3 Swijls, Lionel Kaye, Gracie Bar- rie, Benny Rubin, Ruby Zuterling's tL ffiSS, o' [».&*■' Orch; ^Sensations of 1945" and the vioiin section goes all out in "Holiday for Strings." In opener Cleo Florc-nz has a nice routine and gives her puppets per- sonality with some clever imper- sonations. Best of group are Jimmy Durante,. Mae West, Carmen Miranda and Bette Davis. Watson Sisters, Kitty and Fanny, register with their routine of patter and songs, Show stopper is 'Danny Drayson. He has a nice line of patter and hi:, dancing is "■ coHjica.1, garner- ing laUgh's and applause. Had to beg off. Andy. Downtown, Detroit Detroit. July 9. Bobbj; Sherwood Orch (16) toit'l Gail Lundis. Skylarks i4i.; ter, Kit'if Murray, Willie Hector & Pols, ,■ Olympics;.' night Sweetheart" iRep). tUA) reviewed in 21. '44. '.' 'Variety," June Roches- Kouen, "Good- A gravel-voiced comic and a brassy-sounding band are register One of the longest shows put On at this vaude house (77 minutes), current layout is a smooth melange of entertainment that rates a bow to booker Jes.se Kaye. . Headliners Benny Rubin and Gracie Barrie lie up things neatly in; the' comedy, and song departments respectively. Rubin, whose/skilled emceeing paces the. whole show, clicks solidly through- out with gags done straight and in dialect.: A comedy tap routine and his patter With Miss Barrie all add up To appreciative returns.. : ': '■■?: Gracie Barrie (New.Acts), is socko as a solo, sans her. band. *.;'■ Three Swifts- do their standard juggling lor the usual good results. The Drakes, Dorothy Donegan, and Lionel Kaye, all under New Acts. his talent. Opener is "Begin the Beguine," followed by "Diane," 'Til Get By," "Martha," from the opera, •'Alouette," and a sock de- livery of "Eli Eli." Show opens with the Roberts Sis- ters ft White, three femme tapsters who do their standard footwork atop a small, portable platform. Arthur Blake conies on for excel- lently-received impersonations of name personalities, covering Frank Morgan, Billie Burke, Charle" New Acts HENNY N ADELL Mimic -.'■■■-.• 11 Mins. ■:■:■:','■" :.:'■'■'*■.:■. Glass Hat, Belmont-Plaza, N. Y. Henny .Nadell, recently given an Army medical discharge, has suffi- cient innate ability to catch on once Laughton, Dorothy Lamour,. James he gets his routine,straightened out. Ctaiimpt . Wain Wpnhum folmnn. ! v„..',u- — ~ e.--., ...-j-.^' Stewart, Kate Hepburn. Colman. Bette Davis, and Eleanor Roosevelt. The Olefins (3) are smooth acro- Karle, IMiilly .; : v Philadelphia, July 7. Earl'Hlnes Orch (16) .with Betty ng well at this new house which is Roche. Jesse Perry, Louise Bearers using a versatile lineup on its stage attractions. '.""."-'.' While a little slow on the takeoff, Rochester gabs about his famous boss and the overseas touring before hitting his stride by teaming up for plenty of laughs with Kitty Murray, who sings "Chewing Gum Men*' and joins Rochester in a jitterbug finale. Rochester also cues on Willie Koyen, who contributes crisp tap routines. The band itself, on the boisterous side and pleasing to , the bobby- soxers except w hen i t d rowns out the vocalists, gives plenty of bouncie to "The Elk's Parade," "Shehera- zade," and "It Could Happen to You," on which Sherwood takes the vocals. He's better on the trumpet than with the warbling. Both Miss Landis. with "Long Ago and Far Away" and "I'll Be Seeing You" and the Skylarks, mixed quartet, with "Salt Water Cowboy" and "Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho," register With plenty of jive and laughs the show rounds out with Hector ft Pal9, well flavored with-canine comedy, and the Olympics, two girls better than average in acrobatics. Pool. Capitol, Wash. •Washington, July 9. Rojno Vincent, Blister Shaver & Midgets, Ken Ddvidip'i ft'John Scott, Edwards Bros. (3). Lynn Aflispn, Sam Jack Kaufman's House Orch; -Eve'of St. Mark" (20th), : Youth possesses a first-rate voice which he . uses in. imitating such celebs as Jolson, Jessel, Richman and bats whose act gets a big hand for • others. His original takeoff on a difficult lifts and balancing by the , Broadway character being asked to two males and femmc. Six Willys, report for induction could be bright- three males and three iemmcs. close | cned up into a rear hit. As is, it's .tunny, even-now. .■ ' \ I Nadell needs to prune a lot of i extraneous matter and possibly add to h;s mimicing.; Just now he hasn't quite got the feel of his audience. '.-.■■■' ■ ■' :■'■■' Wear. show with class juggling routines Brog Legit Splurge ; Continued from page I . this time last season only about 40 , '-'ONEL KAYE 2 ' Zephyrs, Claw" (U). new shows were in sight for 1943-44, I fj?^^ Auctioneer A lot of new backers' coin was Red ft Curly; "Scarlet {used up by the spring musical fail- ures but there is evidently plenty The" Earle is back on the all-sepia \ more around, as shown by the im- ,-Sam .'a> k Kaufmai's musicians open \yith an anniversary overture, celebrating the 20th birthday of ; ,eo-tliC-LiOn (Metro), with slides from hit pictures. Lynn Allison vocalizes the tunes. Then Milt Slos- ser at the organ, for comedy lyrics and a community sinj;. Edwards Bros, open with fast acrobatic routine .if hand-to-hand balancing. Followed by Buster Shaver and his lilliptitians. Olive and George are now joined by younger brother. Richard, who pours forth a medley- of hit tunes from ' Oklahoma." Brother and sis- ter work well, are clever show peo- ple, and with Shaver at the pianO click for a solid hit. Romo Vincent, rotund comic follows with a budget of songs.: Vincent is a one-man global war against gloom. Revuo closes with a seven-point badminton match between Ken Davidson and ,'ohn Scott. T'lis is cannily presented to generate ex- citement, and with little tricks of showmanship registers as a wow sporting act. Show is well lighted and staged. Gene Ford going in for production value. ''. . Arke. standard this week, though the show doesn't quite hit the standards of two weeks ago when the house was almost Wrecked by the. Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald and Co.; it's solid all the way: ; Earl Hiries and his tuneful foot- ers dote on the two B's—blues and boogiei-woogie, with Hines, him- self, pacing the proceedings on the Steinway; * : Vocalists include curvaceous Betty Roche, whose forte is the Harlem style balladeering like "Straighten Out and Fly Right," "Ever Loving Bines" and "A Train." , Male chirper is Jesse Perry, a frail character with a robust voice who stresses the romantic style, pleasing with his renditions of "Long Ago" and "My First Love." Louise Beavers, husky character actress of the films, opens her stint on an unfortunate note, . essaying "Sunny Side of the Street" -in a monotone, aggravated by a cold. The big gal, however, scores with her "retake" of a scene from "Belle Starr." in which she recently played. One of the oddest acts to be un- veiled here is that presented by the Two Zephyrs. Their stint starts out in the conventional dance-team man- ner, but then the lads, segue 'into a tricky slow-motion routine which is a laugh-getter. They pantomime a* couple of crap-shooters who wind up in a razor battle. Red and Curley. a: couple of tal- ented hoofers,, round out the bill. The team adds spice to their terp- chore with a round of skin-beating. House was fairly well-filled de- spite humid weather. Slwl. - IIKO. Boston Boston, July 6, Gene' Krnpa Orch (25), uiith the Edwards Sisters. Evelyn Ambrose, The. G-Noters; Eddie White. Jimmy Dale. Paul Remos and Toy Boys; "A Night of. Adventure" (RKO). posing number of *une-and-dancers to come. How niany will actually ring up the curtain, of the more than a score of musicals planned, is a guess, yet there seems to be sub- stance to plans for those which are carded to go on. As there are not more than 17 theatres which can house musicals, and ar, some shows of that type now playing should be on hand in the new season, there is bound to be as much of a theatre shortage as last season. Earlier new clicks, therefore, will' have an ad- vantage, '.;.',' Mor-3 or less in si.me stage of preparction. are such musicals as "Bloomer Girl," which John C. Wil- son will do; "Laughing Room Only," by Shuberts and Hairy Kaufman, starring Olsen and Johnson; "Have a Good Time," Dave Wolper's next show; "Holiday for Girls," to be done by Harry Delmar, Emil Fried- lander and Al Bordc; "Abraca- dabra," which Richard Himber and Orson Welles are doing;' "Sadie Thompson," being readied by A. P. Waxman with Paramount backing; Theatre Guild's musical "Liliom" rnd "Floating Down Flugel Street" • ballet); "Song of Norway." pro- duced on the Coast md due into the Majestic in August, put on by Homer Curran, Shuberts and Michael Todd! * Musicals •Slated to be among the. first of next season's musicals; "Seven Live- ly Arts " which Billy Rose will spot in ,th» Ziegfeld, is actually indefinite State, N.'Y.. - '. . •The "daffy auctioneer" from "Sons o' Fun" carries his same? routine over to the vaudfilmeries with loud success Using the technique of auc- tioning off unseen items for small change and buying things from pa- trons, he has the audience howling with the objects he bestows upon bidders. . ■: ,•*• ''■'.■. ■' ".■'-. '■"-?.'!','•:;: '■'■'S Overcoming audience reluctance to participate in the proceedings in short order, Kaye keeps things mov- ing at a brisk pace, winding up with an audience, participation shot that features ah undressing contest; With a shapely fenime assistant, Kaye dis- plays a keen wit throughout. DOROTHY DONEGAN Pianist 7 Mins. ' State, N. Y.'.. Appearing in both the Aim and on the stage, this Negro gal dishes out a double-barrel discharge of crack boogie-woogie that had the younger element hopping with her lush pian- istics. Playing "Honeysuckle Hose," "Tea for Two," plus other oldies in addition to the classics, she segues i hto boogie-woogie for enthusiastic impression. ,-'-. --.>' However, she fails to impress with her personality, other than musical- ly, working dumb throughout ap- pearance, Announcing her own num- bers or working in some patter be- tween tunes would help a lot. GRACIE BARRIE Songs ' ;'■ -'' '."-V.''-/'"'. ■ 14 Mins. '-• ■•'.•'■ '-.N;' State, N. Y.i'.'^v- '.'.;•.;:,.:', ..: ■ .;': Gracie Barrie, who recently gave up fronting her' serviceman-hus- band's band (Dick Stabile), really comes into her own in this single. A on its starting date and it may be I ooker - stunningly gowned, she does Majestic, ft. A. San Antonio, July 5. D'Anega Girl Orch (18) featuring Vickie Lester, Lois Marie, Betty Lou. Mary Lee Carrol, the Symphonettes (3); Danny Drayson, Cleo Florenz. Watson Sisters (2); "The Hour Be- fore Datuii" (Par). Tower, K. C. Kansas City, July 7. George Dewey Washington, Frank Payne. Jim Valdare, George & Mickey Winters, Bonniedean Hedges, Tower Orch (9) with Marilyn Ballinger; "Jam Session" (Col) and "Slightly Terrific" (U): Interstate Circuit sets off summer season with a fast moving musical revue which is pleasing patrons at all showings. The 60-minute show is well balanced for the soldier audi- ence with only two males in the en- tire , setup, D'Artega and Danny Drayson, Gjrl. crew led by D'Artega has .two pianos: three'violins, six ' sax/ two trombones bass and drum. Girls stand but well in. their arrangements, and show good musicianship, but at times brass section is a bit too loud. Entire program is composed of jive tunes. Change in pace should show band off to better advantage. D'Artega's own tune "In the Blue of Evening" introduces band and is also featured in the band's program: A "War Medley" dedicated to the men in uniform follows to good ef- fect. Other tunes include "Two O'clock Jump," "Holiday -. lor Strings" and a George Gershwin medley. From the band, Lois Marie vocals "Begin the Beguine," with an ac- cordion accompaniment. Betty Lou contribs nice keyboard work in her ' Boogie Woogie Piano''; newcomer George Dewey Washington, sepia baritone, comes back .to Kaycee after a long absence to top the cur- rent Tower opus, and capacity open- ing day crowds indicate that, he still , retains following here. ■Wearing the battered hat and tramp, getup which has become his trademark, singer .comes oh ' to "Marching Home to You." Follows with "Old Man RiVer." : ; "Laugh. Clown, "Laugh" and "Chloe," all done with spoken choruses. Two bows before the ;clo,«eih, and payees wanted more. ' .. ,. House, orch opens .show: with "I'll Be Seeing You," . with Marilyn Ballinger. vocalist, scoring with tw'o -choruses. ■■'"', .-.'Frank Payne, mimic, doubles as m;c. and brings on Jim Valdare, comedv cyclist, who gets laughs with his "antics on wheels. Then George & Mickey Winters, who contrib nifty tap routine.. On next, Payne does takeoffs on Bergen & McCarthy, F. D R., W. C. Fields. Bob Eberly, ':The Voice" and others. Clicks nicely. "Discov- ery Night" winner is Bonniedean Hedges, who does a song-ahd-tap specialty. ' . Earl. The new Gene Krupa orch. with eight fiddles adding a long-hair at- mo.sp.tiexe. Js stronger on size than style. Krupa handles band well and gets in a few loud licks on the hides, but the arrangements lack distinc- tion. Working around the circuit should cure most of the ills. At the present, the band is a standard bruss-reed„-rhythm combo with strings as an afterthought. But it is imm'essive' and the jivers eat it. up. Krupa has lost none of his hide beating skill. Evelyn Ambrose is a fine vocalist, turning out "If Could Happen to You" and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't" with a bit of swing. The; G-Noters are okay in "Milkman Keep Those Bottles Quiet" and "A Slip of the Lip." Eddie White's gags are a bit naive and his singing raucous, but he gets over. Edwards Sisters' tapping fine in the rhythm and energy depart- ment. But the bisjgest hand went to the standard act of Paul Remos and his Toy- Boys, a pair of midgets who look; like 5-year-old kids and who turn in amazing acrobatics. / late fall before it arrives. Same goes for "Music Box RevUe," which Irving Berlin and Max Gordon pro- pose, and the latter's "Sweet Laven- der." Gordon's fi'r.n musical next season will probably be "Firebrand," Vinton Freedley promises "Frankie and-J^hrmiel!- (with Horace Schmid- lapp and Richard Isxakeur asso- ciated). Robert Stolz is due to bow in with "Happily Ever After" and also has "Mr. Strauss Goes to . Bos- ton." ';. '",-'"... '.'■' "Hiiil. Columbia!" is promised by Lou Walters', "Hit the Sky" is. four songs, "Pack Up Your Trou-. bles." segueing into a lyric on "Adolph, Benito and Tojo," "I'll Be Seeing You.',' "Holiday for. Strings" and "I Can't Say No" from "Okla- homa," that had the customers ask- ing for more. Her poise, phrasing and expression are top drawer, - THE HARTNELLS Tap Dancers 8 Mins. Glass Hat, Belmont-Plata, N, Y. The Hartnells, Australian man and woman dance duo, have a trim tap- planned by the Shuberts. "Way Up dancing act that fits solidly into a Central Park" is scheduled by Todd, small hotel room. Male, besides do- 'Napoleon Without Brandy" figures ing all right with tapstering, regis Orpheuni, L. ;%. Los Angeles, July 5. . Henny' Yoithginan, Arthur Lee Simpkiits. 6 Willys. The Glenns (3) Arthur Blake. Roberts Sis. (2)"ft White; AC Lyons House Orch . HO); "Sudor On a Holiday" tCol). Slick comedy chatter by Henny Youngman and the top tenOring:.of Arthur Lee Sinipkins set a fast pace for;the.smooth variety bill this,week- at the "Orpheum. All turns are standard and good, each contribut- ing to the excellent whole, making for neat entertainment. . , Yoiiiigman's gab is well-liked here. Comic keeps U cleon for general family consumption, knows timing and how to sell a quip for the best returns. His casual style, nifty modern material caught on well at opening matinee. Arthui* Lee Simp- kins. Negro tenor who's currently in a long run at the Florentine Gar- dens, Hollywood nitery, and under contract at Metro varies his musical offerings to display wide range of to have Phil Baker ;i:d Sid Silvers the presenters, "On the Town" will introduce Oliver Smith and Paul Fiegay. "What a Romeo" is listed by Arthur Gershwin and 'the Shu- berts, while among the revivals there is "The Gypsy Baron," S. Hurok presenting. Still another musical due is 'Howdy, Hero," to be done by George Abbott. It is based on an idea by Cy Howard, radio actor and writer. Lad was in "Storm Opera- tion," Maxwell. Anderson's.war play, which flopped last season. Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane are due to do the score. Abbott is also awaiting completion of Phil DVnnjrig's" "King Coffee" Several .oth.^r musicals are I reported in the offing. The Dramas . . The straight play" are, starting with 'Catherine was Great" ,and ! "School for Bride;,' early rn August, "vVhen the Sun Shines," A Goose for. the Gan-le;." j.More," "Men to the Sea," "If, a | Body,' "Good Morn|ii.?, Corporal." j "Lowe; North," Brown Derby,' "And Never Yield," "A Star to Fol- ' low or Money," "Fanny,' "Fire Shall Forgive," "Errand for Bernice," ' Embezzled Heaven," "Dark Conti- nenti" "Elmer the Second," "Cham- pagne for Everybody," "Children Grow," "Hand in Glove," "Last Stop," "Henry VIII," "In B*'d We Crv. . '■• ;"••'■• •. ■■' i-'iV •*.. • >■■>..•. ters trimly with a flock of Russian steps. :'" "!•.'"'•.••'": Pair works well in unison hoofing although he's considerably taller than his blonde partner. Could brighten up turn with different garb. . ".'•' ; Wear. THE DRAKES (3) Dancing 10 Mins; State. N. Y.; . " ' . "•-'- :.' V • This trio of two gals and a boy perform regular ballroomology in 1 pleasing manner.. The two fenimes, oretty and well dressed, are grace- ful, and together with the male member of the team execute stand- ard twists and twirls in neat fashion, with good timing and routines. "Journey to a Star," "•Reprise," "Re- turn to Eden," "Mncnificent Yan- kee." "Mama's Bank Account," "Mr. Tutt," .''My bear MIh." a Rachel brothers play, "On ihi^Town,". "Sol- Sleep No jdier's Wife," "The Clover Ring," •'-"Strange- Fruit," "The Assasin," "The I Late Geor«e Aoley," "Violet," "Tuck- | er's People," "The. White Rabbit," : "The Overtons," "The Perfect Mar- "A Wind Is Rising,"_"For Love j riage." "Who Sups With the Devil," "Education . of Hyman Kaplan," "Love - and the Census Taker," "Sainted : Sisters," "Good Soldier Schweik," . "You Only ,-' Twinkle Once," and "Georgia JBoy." Before Labor Day the list of possibilities will probably he extended :. ';•';'.'.-.,( i , ,•; •.',-,..■. f .